By Robert Hart, Parliamentary ReporterDERRICK SMITH, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, has called on the Government to bring to justice politicians believed to be linked to the illegal narcotics trade.
But while his reference to National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillip's comments last week were initially well received by both sides of the House of Representatives, the Opposition spokesman later drew the ire of some members on the Govern-ment bench.
"We cannot wait on persons in or out of the political system who are entangled with drug dons to extricate themselves voluntarily," Mr. Smith said to thunderous desk-thumping while making his contribution to the 2004/2005 Sectoral Debate.
Last week, Dr. Phillips condemned unnamed parliamentary colleagues for links to the illegal drug trade and called on politicians to sever ties with so-called dons involved in violence and drugs.
Yesterday, Mr. Smith said the National Security Minister had "entered deep waters" when he told the House that he would speak bluntly about the political links to drugs. "Those of us who are accustomed to, and want clean politics, hope he can swim," the Opposition spokes-man said. He added: "We hope too that he is a good fisherman because we have heard fisherman's tales that there are sharks in the water on both sides. What we want now is to net some of those sharks."
Mr. Smith went on to note that he was unaware of what had prompted the Minister to comment on the controversial issue, but suggested that it could have been a result of "the situation getting out of hand."
Mr. Smith's contribution was punctuated by his Opposition colleagues' taunting of Govern-ment members, and soon after in a characteristic outburst Minister of Water and Housing Donald Buchanan questioned political links to "illegal money".
CONTROVERSIAL SUGGESTION
The Water Minister's comment was an apparent reference to last year's controversial suggestion by Opposition Leader Edward Seaga that 'illegal money' was used to finance at least one campaign for a deputy leader post within his party. James Robertson, who was subsequently elected a deputy leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, was understood to be the candidate involved. But Mr. Seaga later recanted his statement and the police have dropped its investigation into the matter.
Yesterday, in the subsequent commotion, the Water Minister was joined by Transport Minister Robert Pickersgill who accused Opposition members of coming to Parliament and "running up your mouth".
"Nobody on this side wears short pants," a visibly incensed Mr. Pickersgill said.
"Illegal tainted money must go," Mr. Buchanan shouted across the aisle.
Mr. Smith, concluding the matter, invited the National Security Minister to share whatever information he had about the suggested drug links. He also asked that the Minister indicate what action would be taken to "cleanse the democratic system of this country."
